News

KMBI HO Staff Open Sports Fest 2017

All KMBI Head Office staff flaunted their team color as they marched towards the Panay Office during the opening of KMBI Sports Fest 2017.

With the theme, “A balanced work-life is a happy KMBI life”, the ceremony took place last Friday, June 9, 2017.

Information Technology Officer, Mr. Robert Samortin Jr., led the declaration of the Oath of Sportsmanship to reaffirm the spirit of fair and friendly competition among participants, while IT Officer, Mr. Joel Cruz, was the torchbearer for the lighting of torch, signalling the commencement of the organization-wide competition.

All KMBI staff have the option to join basketball, volleyball, badminton, swimming, table tennis, chess, or dart. The competition for the area level will begin from June to July, while the group level will span from August to September.

The championship is set to take place during the Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEaD) Camp in 2018, in which four major groups will compete.

KMBI Sports Fest is part of the K-FIT Program of the Human Capital Department intended to promote and implement a healthy physical, social, mental, and spiritual condition among its employees through program-based activities directed towards wellness. The activity also aims to deepen camaraderie among staff whilst maintaining work-life balance.

KMBI Staff Bags Top Prizes in BMCI Summit

The Bicol Microfinance Council, Inc. (BMCI) during its 8th Annual Microfinance Summit Awarding Ceremonies held at the CRH Development Building in Camalig, Albay recognized Mr. Victor Palce, KMBI Goa Branch Manager and Mr. Jeric Encinas, KMBI Daet Program Officer for their exemplary work.

During the awarding ceremonies held last April 21, 2017, Mr. Palce won the first runner up for the Outstanding Branch Manager category while Mr. Encinas bagged the top prize for the Outstanding Account Officer category. Both awardees received a plaques and cash prizes.

BMCI Officers and Trustees, officers and staff of other member MFIs and financial institution of the BMCI attended the event. Mr. Allan Sicat, Executive Director of Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI) was also in attendance during the event. Mr. Philip Bautista, KMBI Area Manager for Bicol was also present to support his staff. The awarding ceremony was the highlight of the day's event from the pocket activities happening simultaneously in one venue.

BMCI,is a network of rural banks, cooperatives and non-government organizations in the Bicol region engaged in microfinance to which KMBI is a member. The council has been in existence since March 2005. It was formed to primarily to facilitate the exchange of ideas among local MFIs and promote the creation of a local credit bureau. Since its inception in 2005, it has broadened its mission anchored on building the capacities of members to develop small enterprises and promote local economic development.

Wellness Caravan brings Vitality to 170 Clients

Recognizing the need to increase access to health and wellness information, KMBI launched its second Wellness Caravan for 2017 at the Boulevard Events Place, San Fermin, Cauayan City last April 20.

The event was a mixture of talks, demos and physical activities to help 170 KMBI clients gain insights on how to improve their well being and manage their stress. "Cardio Vascular Disease is the leading cause of death amongst insurance clients. It is important to be reminded to be aware that sleeping early, being physically active and having a positive mindset will contribute to a happier and longer life." Ms. Michelle Bacolod, KMBI's Micro-insurance consultant said in her talk.

The caravan also featured booths from KMBI Partners and Clients. Among them were: Kabisig-Unilever that showcased consumer products; Four KMBI Clients that brought in their home made goods; Leny Massage that offered massage services and various salves & ointments; the Pure-it team who discussed the need for clean drinking water; and the Philippine Red Cross that hosted a bloodletting activity during the gathering.

The wellness caravan was capped off with a Zumba session by Mr. Mark Richie Adam. KMBI clients dressed in their sports attire, and broke a sweat while dancing to high tempo music.

KMBI Participates in Financial Inclusion Summit in Vietnam

Seven of KMBI's Board mixed with Key Officers assembled alongisde 300 senior leaders for the region's premier event, the Asia-Pacific Financial Inclusion Summit last March 21-22, 2017.

The two-day event, held at the JW Marriot Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, was organized by Citi Foundation, the foundation for Development Cooperation in partnership with Banking with the poor (BWTP) Network, the Economist Group, and hosted by Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (VINASME).

The Summit aims to help participants explore the various opportunities and challenges of financial services providers to tackle financial inclusion in underserved communities. It also aims to participate interactions with policy-makers to discuss the latest national and regional initiatives to improve outreach.

The Summit also showcases the latest technology and innovation to service the unbanked. It serves as the incubator for thought leaders and experts to stimulate the exchange of ideas and best practices, and possibly explore potential networking and partnership.